Game Thread: Pre-Season Game 4 vs Rockets -- Oct. 18, 2023 7 p.m. CST

[Obstructed_View]

Not sure Johnson works with this first unit.
Agree. He hasn't found his game yet, but it isn't for lack of effort. Hoping he just doesn't have his game legs yet. He would really feast as the first person off the bench.

[Seventyniner]

To me, it’s all about how a team or a player looks. People put too much stock into competition when you can half the time make an assessment on something if you have an eye for it. The defense is going to be much improved this year, all I know is that.

The alternative is too frightening to consider.

[exstatic]

Wesley makes Russel Westbricks finishing look elite

Uh, Westbrook's finishing IS elite and always has been.

[exstatic]

That first half the starting lineup out there really stepped on the rockets throat. Felt like they purposely eased off in the 2nd half because it's preseason.

I feel like Graham, Birch and is (Bediako still on the roster?) These guy's don't make the final cut. Should have the roster at 14 or 15 players

IIRC, we only need one more cut, and that will probably be Birch.

[Mr. Body]

IIRC, we only need one more cut, and that will probably be Birch.

Birch probably kept around in case Bassey (and Barlow) didn't look ready. This team is short on beef, but those two players have looked good enough to give Birch his mug and pat on the back.

[exstatic]

Birch probably kept around in case Bassey (and Barlow) didn't look ready. This team is short on beef, but those two players have looked good enough to give Birch his mug and pat on the back.

In this day and age, you always keep a wing or guard over that 5th big. Wemby, Zach, Bassey, Barlow.

[Mr. Body]

In this day and age, you always keep a wing or guard over that 5th big. Wemby, Zach, Bassey, Barlow.

I don't have a problem with many wings, I don't have a problem with the roster at all. Having a veteran big would be a nice thing, but I wouldn't pick a 31 year-old Birch over anyone we have. We're not going to lose games because we have greenhorn Bassey, Barlow and Mamu as backups even if it would be nice to have an Andre Drummond who can gobble up rebounds if needed.

[CorrectCrusader]

Uh, Westbrook's finishing IS elite and always has been.
LMAO

[spurraider21]

The defense in the first half was top 5 defense in the NBA tbh. They could find themselves there by the end of the season
they looked good, the effort was there

but as far as results, hard to take too much away from a preseason game against what was a bad rockets team last year, playing without their starting backcourt (FVV and Jalen Green)

[heyheymymy]

Still not a good flex. The Spurs picked Josh Primo.

Trey Murphy III hurts a little too but I'm kinda over Sengun. Dont get me wrong, Sen would've been a good pick, better than Primo prob.

Cool part is if Bassey and Mamu work out there is a bit of 21 nba draft redemption for SA

[heyheymymy]

Love the Sochan highlights from last night

Tons of feisty defense, some slick buckets and getting Amen flustered and drawn on for cheap fouls

[Obstructed_View]

Love the Sochan highlights from last night

Tons of feisty defense, some slick buckets and getting Amen flustered and drawn on for cheap fouls
And Amen was a complete non factor.

[ginobilized]

The high/low Zollins/Wemby game is going to be fun to watch as they get to know each other
I miss that facet of the game from the olden times of TD and Oberto/Admiral/Rasho/whoever

It will be interesting to see how Houston fares under Udoka this year. Could go either way.

Vassell is on a whole other level this year as a scorer. MIP incoming if he can sustain this.

Another random idea, if this team overachieves, Pop might get into the COY discussion.

ROY is Wemby's to lose. No way Chet brings OKC more wins than Wemby this season, if the stats are similar and they stay healthy.